The Taranto Family in Sicily the Sun and Sea of Southern Italy
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The Taranto Family in Sicily The Sun and Sea of Southern Italy Taormina, Castelmola, Alicudi, Savoca, Castelbuono, Cefalu’, Agrigento, Enna, Piazza Armerina and Siracusa A twelve Day Italian Journey September 7th – September 18th, 2019 KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road Trumansburg, New York 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 Day#1: Departure for Sicily Saturday: September 7th, 2019 In conjunction with AAA Travel (Ithaca, NY), Keyrow Tours is pleased to make all flight arrangements, including primary flights originating anywhere in the United States and international flights. We we will depart from a major international airport located on the east coast of the United States [usually JFK (NY) or Philadelphia (PA)] and fly into Catania, Sicily with one international layover. Transportation to and from your primary airport of departure is each person’s responsibility. “What is the fatal charm of Italy? What do we find there that can be found nowhere else? I believe it is a certain permission to be human, which other places, other countries, lost long ago.” ~ Erica Jong KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road Trumansburg, New York 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 Day #2: “Welcome to Taormina” Sunday: September 8th, 2019 European Breakfast Arrival at Catania’s Fontanrossa International Airport After collecting our luggage, private minivans will carry us to our first fabulous Sicilian destination: Taormina! The 40-minute drive is a scenic orientation to the North East coast of Sicily. Taormina Taormina is a charming town on the east coast of Sicily in the Province of Messina, about midway between Messina and Catania. This breathtaking destination overlooks the turquoise blue waters of the Ionian Sea. The area around Taormina was inhabited by a group of people called the “Siculi” even before the Greeks arrived on the Sicilian coast in 734 BC. Many centuries later after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Taormina was under Muslim rule from 902 AD-1078 AD. It was subsequently captured by the Normans, and then later by the French. Mama mia, what a complex history! During the early 20th century the town became a colony of expatriate artists, writers, and intellectuals including D. H. Lawrence who stayed here from 1920 to 1922, and Truman Capote from 1950-1951. A.) The Corso Umberto I B.) The Church of San Domenico C.) The Ancient Theatre of Taormina The "Teatro antico di Taormina"is an ancient Greek theatre that was built in the seventh century BC. One of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily, it has a diameter of 120 metres and therefore stands as the second largest of its kind in Sicily after that of Syracuse. Today the theatre is still frequently used for operatic and theatrical performances, and for concerts. Back to hotel Day’s recap Cena! (dinner… Sicilian style!) “For us to go to Italy and to penetrate into Italy is like a most fascinating act of self-discovery— back, back down the old ways of time. Strange and wonderful chords awake in us, and vibrate again after many hundreds of years of complete forgetfulness.” ~ D.H. Lawrence KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road Trumansburg, New York 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 Day #3: “Castelmola and Mount Etna” Monday: September 9th, 2019 European Breakfast on the terrace with view of Mount Etna! A.) Morning departure for Castelmola Castelmola in Sicily is a beautiful village perched high above Taormina. This lovely hamlet is considered one of the most beautiful villages in all of Sicily. Warm, friendly people and spectacular panoramas characterize the village. Castelmola is a kind of “balcony” over Taormina and the bay of Giardini Naxos, framed by the mysterious and beautiful active volcano, Mount Etna. Its narrow winding streets and old world charm make Castelmola a destination for anyone wishing to experience the enchanting beauty of Sicily. Don’t forget to enjoy a glass of Vino di Mandorla (sweet almond wine) at Bar Turrisi and be delighted by this bar’s unique décor and friendly staff. B.) Mount Etna tour (Pranzo: Optional lunch on your own) Mt. Etna volcano is one of the world's most active volcanoes, and the most active one in all of Europe. To the ancient Greeks, Mount Etna was the realm of Vulcan, god of fire, and home of the one-eyed monster known as the Cyclops. Etna offers skiing in the winter months and breathtaking hikes during the summer. We will begin today’s tour by exploring old lava flows. We will ascend to 7000 ft. and take a walk to visit the “Silvestri” craters and new lava flows and craters from 2001/2003. Enjoy the desert moon atmosphere! On the way, we will also stop and visit a family farm where it is possible to taste local Etna wine, a selection of natural honey (orange, lemon, eucalyptus, strawberry...), almond pastries, olives and extra virgin olive oil. We will also stop at one of the best known Sicilian vineyards: "Tenuta San Michele del Murgo" where we will taste some of their local wines. We end the day with a visit of the charming village of Giardini Naxos by the sea, the first Greek colony in Sicily, before returning to Taormina. Day’s recap Cena! (Group Dinner) “All journeys have destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” ~ Martin Buber KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road Trumansburg, New York 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 Day #4: “Welcome to Lipari” Tuesday: September 10th, 2019 European Breakfast Morning departure for Melazzo Ferry Boat Midday arrival to Lipari Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands. We will enjoy a relaxing introduction to island life with plenty of time for personal exploring. The liveliest street is the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, a cheerful thoroughfare lined with bars, cafes, restaurants and delis. In the evening the street becomes pedestrian, as the locals take their passeggiata or evening stroll. After hotel check-in we will enjoy lunch (included) and a 2-3 hour guided tour of the island. All transportation needs are provided. Back to the hotel Day’s recap Dinner on your own KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road Trumansburg, New York 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 Day #5: “The Aeolian Archipelago of Alicudi” Wednesday: September 11th, 2019 European Breakfast and late morning ferry boat to Alicudi. Alicudi is the westernmost of the eight islands making up the Aeoian archipelago. This is a volcanic island chain and Alicudi itself is remote, car-free (take a donkey?), steep and serene. With its primitive vibe, we will enjoy its crystal-clear water, bright buildings and a picturesque harbor lined with fishermen boats. The owner of the only hotel on the island (Hotel Ericusa) has the last name of Taranto… shall we stop by for a visit? On this island of your ancestors we will enjoy a guided tour of the area, with free time for personal exploring. Pranzo! (Lunch included) Afternoon ferryboat back to Lipari Day’s recap Dinner on your own “Sicily is an island lying outside time, where past events endure in an external present, a beach on which the tides of successive civilizations have heaped in disorder their assorted treasure.” ~ Vincent Cronin, The Golden Honeycomb KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road Trumansburg, New York 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 Day #6: “Taormina is Timeless” Thursday: September 12th, 2019 European Breakfast Morning ferry departure from Lipari and transfer to Taormina A.) Take Taormina’s cable car down its beautiful panoramic seaside cliff to Mazzarò beach and the Isola Bella. The small beach of Mazzarò is set in a bay to the north of Isola Bella, and is one of the most popular in the area. Its pebble shore is dotted by sun umbrellas and beach beds available for rent. There are also free beach areas. Within walking distance is the Isola Bella… perhaps Taormina’s most beautiful beach. It is also a pebble beach, set at the foot of the town, and linked to the mainland by a narrow strip of beach that is covered by water at high tide. B.) TBA: Cooking class with dinner Dependent on Availability… “And anyone who has once known this land can never be quite free from the nostalgia for it.” ~ D. H. Lawrence KEYROW TOURS 60 Georgia Road Trumansburg, New York 14886 Tel: 315.491.3711 Day#7: “Treasures of Cefalù” Friday: September 13th, 2019 European Breakfast Morning departure for Cefalù Pranzo! Our first stop en route to Cefalu' is the town of Castelbuono, located in the province of Palermo. Here we will dine at the rustic Hostaria Nangalarruni, where Michelin rated chef Giuseppe Carollo has made it his mission to use local, seasonal ingredients, creating dishes that honor his childhood and his people. Nangalarruni is truly off the beaten path and an absolute treat. Cefalù Dating back to the 5th century BC, the town of Cefalu’ contains elements of Arab, Norman, Roman and Greek civilizations. Cefalù is located on the northern coast of Sicily, on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The name “Cefalù’” first appears in historical accounts from 396 BC. In 858 it was conquered by the Arabs, and for centuries it was part of the Emirate of Sicily. In 1063 the Normans captured the town and built a beautiful cathedral. A.) The Cathedral Construction of the Cathedral was begun in 1131, in the style of Norman Architecture. The exterior is well preserved, and is largely decorated with interlacing pointed arches. On each side of the façade is a massive tower. The interior of the cathedral includes fine specimens of the Byzantine art (1148). Most noteworthy is the figure of the Pantocrator (“Christ the Teacher”): like a Norman Viking, Christ appears with blond hair and blue eyes… Hmmm! B.) The “Lavatoio” Wash House The Saracen wash-house, called the Lavatoio, is a sight worth seeing.